Spousal Sponsorship - proof of relationship/translations/name change/family involvement

[akbarz]

Hello,

I had a question and haven't been able to find an accurate answer. Any help is appreciated.

I had a Police certificate, birth certificate and text messages, translated. I received the translation, the original document (photocopy) and a declaration from the translator, all stamped with the companies stamp.

Now I read this on the CIC website:
Unless stated in your checklist, you must attach the following for any documents that are not in English or French:

• a certified copy of the original document; and
• the English or French translation; and
• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation.

Do I need to have the original document certified in some way? Have it notarized? I was told originally that this would suffice. I ask this because I don't have the original as they are with my husband.

 

[StanDiv]

Hello,
I have been scouring this site for answers but I wasn't able to find any help so I thought I would leave a post to see if someone has any answers for me.

Background: My husband and I met in 2016 through family, he is a Spanish citizen and I am a Canadian Citizen. We did long distance, we traveled to see each other over the years. Our families were not involved in our relationship due to various personal reasons and did not attend our wedding (I did not go into depth regarding this on the application form where it asks whether parents attended the wedding, not sure if I should). Furthermore, we decided to have a simple wedding ceremony this past August (In Canada), with only my mother in attendance. He than returned home for work, as I am finishing up my degree before we move in together (he cant stay here as he does not have work permit).

My questions are:

1. Should I go into detail about why some of our family/relatives are not involved with our relationship?
2. For proof of contact; I had screenshot Whatsapp messages (about 5 pages, 4 screenshots each), written in a mix of Urdu and English. It says they need to be translated but I am having trouble finding a translator and was wondering whether anyone could suggest one (they say because its a mix they cant translate, lots of slang used as well so not sure how to provide this translation without doing it myself). I also included letters that we had written. I am not sure how much to show them, but I pulled messages throughout the years.
3. For further proof of relationship; I provided screenshots of our social media, photos from travels, weddings and letters from friends who met him. Will this suffice? I am concerned because we are very private couple and with our family not really involved I was worried about proving our relationship.
4. Name change/Birth certificate: So this is my main concern. My husband was born in Pakistan, moved to Spain when he was 7. He no longer has Pakistan nationality as he is now a citizen of Spain. When he moved to Spain his first and last name were switched, and many of his official Spanish documents often mix up the name. On receiving his Spanish nationality, his name was once again changed; his first name and then his fathers last name and then his mothers. This is what is used on all current passport, Id cards etc. Spain also prints a new "birth certificate" indicating the birth day, parents information, reason for name change and new name. My husband was told that this is birth certificate from now on, and has been using it for all his purposes. I am wondering if this will create issues, first the names being switched, then the name change, then the documents showing the name mixed up. Its been a hassle getting an answer from IRCC or the Spanish vital statistics offices. Could anyone provide some help or insight? Would this be accepted as the birth certificate? (I had all the documents translated to English as well)

I am Canadian (Tamil by birth) my wife lives jn India and aslo Tamil. We ALWAYS talk and chat in Tamil. When my lawyer did my application I had the very same question...NO YOUR CONVERSATIONS DO NOT NEED TO BE TRANSLATED. IRCC might ask for it if needed but thats very rare! The only time you would require translation is if our government issued documents are in a different language! Hope this helped!

 

[ahmedcar]

Hello,

I had a question and haven't been able to find an accurate answer. Any help is appreciated.

I had a Police certificate, birth certificate and text messages, translated. I received the translation, the original document (photocopy) and a declaration from the translator, all stamped with the companies stamp.

Now I read this on the CIC website:
Unless stated in your checklist, you must attach the following for any documents that are not in English or French:

• a certified copy of the original document; and
• the English or French translation; and
• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation.

Do I need to have the original document certified in some way? Have it notarized? I was told originally that this would suffice. I ask this because I don't have the original as they are with my husband.

I am Canadian (Tamil by birth) my wife lives jn India and aslo Tamil. We ALWAYS talk and chat in Tamil. When my lawyer did my application I had the very same question...NO YOUR CONVERSATIONS DO NOT NEED TO BE TRANSLATED. IRCC might ask for it if needed but thats very rare! The only time you would require translation is if our government issued documents are in a different language! Hope this helped!

The checklist (updated June 2019) clearly states to "provide certified translations in either English or French of all proof of contact documents that are not already in English or French". Previously it was not required but the new checklist requires it.